The Manchester Collective, in collaboration with cellist Laura van der Heijden, presented a captivating evening of music at the Whitworth Hall, Manchester, on May 1, 2026. The programme, titled 'Papillons', featured Robert Schumann's beloved piano cycle alongside contemporary responses from living composers.
Performance Highlights
The concert opened with Schumann's 'Papillons', Op. 2, originally for piano, but here arranged for chamber ensemble by the Collective's artistic director, Rakhi Singh. The arrangement breathed new life into the whimsical, butterfly-like movements, with the ensemble's delicate interplay capturing the fleeting nature of the original. Van der Heijden's cello provided a warm, grounding presence, her phrasing both lyrical and precise.
Following the Schumann, the Collective premiered two new works. The first, 'Wings' by composer Alex Ho, was a haunting exploration of fragility and flight, featuring extended cello techniques that evoked the flutter of insects. The second, 'Metamorphosis' by Freya Waley-Cohen, was a darker, more turbulent piece, drawing on themes of transformation and resilience. Van der Heijden navigated the demanding score with virtuosic ease, her playing ranging from ethereal harmonics to guttural bowing.
Critical Reception
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, particularly for van der Heijden's encore: a solo cello arrangement of a traditional folk song. Critics praised the concert's cohesion, noting how the new works complemented Schumann's Romanticism without overshadowing it. The Manchester Collective's commitment to blending old and new repertoires was evident, and van der Heijden's collaboration proved to be a highlight of the season.
